Everton supporters have been in high spirits in recent times after seeing their side record a fifth Premier League victory of the season at the weekend.

Marco Silva’s men went into their encounter with Brighton on Saturday off the back of losing 2-1 at Manchester United in their previous league outing, and thus seeking to bounce back at Goodison Park against Chris Hughton’s Seagulls. And they did just that as a brace from Richarlison alongside a Seamus Coleman strike inspired the hosts to a 3-1 success on Merseyside, a result which kept them in ninth place in the Premier League table, although they are now just a point behind eighth place Watford.

Thus, there have been many thrilled Evertonians up and down the country in recent times, several of whom have been singing the praises of defender Kurt Zouma, who has slowly but surely become a vital member of Silva’s starting eleven at Goodison Park.

And after another commanding display on Saturday, director of football Marcel Brands must seek to pull off another transfer masterstroke by luring the £18 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) to Everton on a permanent basis.

Ultimately, the 24-year-old made the move to the Toffees during the summer transfer window on loan from Premier League giants Chelsea, what with first team football likely to be a problem for defender under Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

Yet he has been a regular under Silva at Everton in starting each of their last eight games in the Premier League, in which time Zouma has helped the club to two clean sheets as well as four victories to underline just how integral he has become in the Toffees team.

And the centre back, who can also play at right back, further emphasised his quality with another dominant display alongside Michael Keane in the heart of the Everton defence on Saturday, as although a 3-1 scoreline suggests a comfortable afternoon for Silva’s side, it was anything but.

Hughton’s Brighton got back to level terms 12 minutes before half time and proceeded to give Everton something to worry about going forward, but messrs Zouma and Keane were more than equal to the task, be it dominating aerially or on the floor.

And with Zouma very composed with the ball at his feet as well, the 24-year-old has all the traits to go on and become a seriously accomplished centre back in the Premier League - one that Everton must try and sign on a permanent deal.

Yes, luring him away from Chelsea is likely to prove troublesome for the Toffees, but Brands was able to convince the likes of Bernard, Yerry Mina, and Andre Gomes, the latter two from Barcelona, to join Silva’s project at Goodison Park - the same could well happen with Zouma.

And given how impressive the France international has already been at Goodison Park, it’s a move they must seek to make in the near future.

Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!